THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers got their momentum halfway into the game to beat the Cebu Eastern College Dragons, 92-65, and score their first win in the high school division of the 2014 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum last night.
As of press time, collegiate powerhouse Southwestern University Cobras were leading the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats 44-32 at the half time break.
Both SWU and CIT-U opened their Season 14 campaigns on a bright notes.
The Cobras escaped with a 69-67 win against the University of San Carlos Warriors, while the Wildcats dropped a 67- 60 upset over the defending champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers.
The Baby Panthers drew strength in the second quarter when the Dragons were hot on their tails, following a closely-fought first quarter that saw USPF turning an 14-11 lead into a 39-28 lead at the half, behind John Bryle Bahio’s efforts.
Bahio scored eight of his game high 18 points in this period.
Ain Obenza, John Alocillo and Clyde Drexley Avanceña then joined the scoring spree as the Baby Panthers broke the game wide open with a 28-13 blitz in the third period that gave USPF a 67-41 lead entering the final period.
With the game already in the bag, USPF allowed CEC to trade baskets which resulted to a 25-24 scoring fourth period.
Alocillo added 17, Obenza finished with 16 as USPF bounced back from 59-78 loss to high school powerhouse Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles last Tuesday.
Ivan Agustine Mate topscored for the Dragons with 17 points.